[Asbestos as an envoronmental carcinogen (author's transl)].

Relations between asbestosis and bronchial carcinoma and also since a long time for diffuse malignant pelural and peritoneal mesothelioma have been ascertained for professional exposure to asbestos. On the other hand such relations can be proved statistically for non-professional environmental influence only with malignant serosa tumors. Their increased occurrence goes parallel to the hyaline (calcified) pleura-plaques, to another professional and non-professional consequence of asbestos dust inhalations. There is not enough evidence to accuse asbestos to be a carcinogen causing also other malignomas. It is sure, the number of uncontrolled persons, occupationally or nonoccupationally exposed to asbestos, is still very high. Nevertheless no increased risk of cancer, provoked by asbestos can be supposed for the public at present. For selected population groups, however, increased occurence of mesothelioma cannot be denied, at least in the past. Favorable Favorable conditions exist for the solution of problems still unsolved in asbestosis control, due to the registration of all persons exposed to asbestos dust, and due to the commitment of notifying all tumors.